Planning and More Planning

So I've been busy calling places for our reception in NJ. All of the places I'm looking at have web sites with little "Contact us for more information" forms, but I wanted to call and talk to a real person, ask a few questions, you know, get a feel for what kind of customer service they provide.

Boy, am I glad I made that decision. I have a whole new view on what kind of idiots these vendors must think we brides-to-be are.

I had narrowed down 11 catering/reception sites in the area based on average cost (as posted by a local bridal mag), proximity to our house and neighboring hotels to call. Out of those 11, only five places had a real person who bothered to answer the phone. One person couldn't answer any of my questions herself and referred me directly to the web site. One place had a phone message that said they were open Tue. through Sat., 9 to 4, so I dutifully called back at 10:30 on Tuesday morning, and they STILL weren't there. I left a small rebuke on their web site, and they called my voicemail with a pretty defensive message...what a great way to start a business relationship, dontcha think?

The other three real people consisted of a woman who had laryngitis and shouldn't have been answering the phone in the first place (I took pity on her and continued our conversation via email), a very nice guy who was surprised I had so many questions for him and commended me on being so prepared (dude, I'm only reading off the list of questions they tell you to ask in those books!), and a very confident, nice, approachable, articulate, friendly woman who took the time to answer all my questions, including some that were not on my list, and then offered to have Ray and me come over for a menu tasting.

Can you guess who won the salesperson of the day award?

You know, the fact that the average amount spent on weddings these days is $20,000, I was expecting to have to fend these sales people off with a stick. Instead, I'm stuck going, "Hello? Does anyone want to sell me ANYTHING?" Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Anyway, I think we're going to be narrowing it down to Nice Saleswoman, Laryngitis Chick, and a new place a friend recommended to me. I hadn't had it on my original list, and when I called, they just emailed me their prices and menus, and so far it looks good, but I haven't had a chance to chat with the salesperson yet. Surprised Dude was nice, and he's sending me stuff by snail mail, but I have a feeling it's going to be out of our price range. So far, all the hotels have been way overpriced, and Surprised Dude works at a hotel.

After that, it'll be the menu tasting (mm, free food) and the final decision. One of many decisions to come. I'm going shopping for a dress on Friday. (CUE SCARY MUSIC)

Resolution Revolution

I don't usually do New Year's resolutions, because inevitably I end up like 98% of the population, vowing to lose weight or eat more healthy, and then ten days later fall off the wagon until the next year. I figure what's the point of making a resolution if you're not going to keep it?

But this year, having just figured out a budget for the coming year (including a budget for the wedding), I think it's time for me to learn how to be frugal. Back when I didn't know if I was going be able to afford my next meal, I had to be frugal out of necessity, but even then I didn't plan it. It was just sort of, "Do I have enough change for chips? No? I guess I can live with just a sandwich."

This time I want to plan and budget and make menus and do the bag lunch thing. I've never really done this, not in earnest, and not for long periods of time, and I'm sure it's not going to be easy. I like going to movies and having coffee at Starbuck's and going out to lunch every day. But I also want to have a pretty awesome wedding, and I have to think about that next time I tell myself it's time for a tall soy chai latte.

So if I start sounding like a penny-pincher this year, and act a little bit reclusive, please forgive me. I'm committed to making this wedding really nice, and I also think that living frugally might be a good lesson to learn.